Fire safety failures and mouldy food found in respite centre for young people with intellectual disability

A shut down fire alarm, smoke detectors covered in plastic and month-old mouldy food were found by inspectors at a respite centre for young people with an intellectual disability, a new report has revealed. The unannounced inspection of Longfield House, Co Monaghan, run by Zamab Care Ltd was carried out in April by inspectors from the Health Information and Quality Authority (Hiqa). They found significant and ongoing failures in care, safeguarding, fire safety, risk management and governance, with inspectors warning that the safety and wellbeing of young people remained at risk. The designated centre, which was first registered in November 2025, provides long-and short-term respite care for up to four children and young people. At the time of the inspection, two young people were living there on a long-term respite basis. The inspection followed concerns received by the Chief Inspector of Social Services in February 2026 about medicine management, governance and the care provided to residents, as well as safeguarding incidents. An earlier inspection on February 23 had already identified significant regulatory breaches. A cautionary meeting with the provider was subsequently held on March 18. However, inspectors found that serious problems remained. When inspectors arrived at approximately 7.20am they found the fire alarm displaying a message indicating that it had been decommissioned. A smoke detector in the hallway was also covered by a black plastic bag. The physical condition of the property was also described as poor. The hallway had marked and dirty surfaces, damaged areas, chipped paint, a loose wooden panel and dirt and debris around the entrance. One inspector looked in the young person's fridge and noted that there was mouldy and out of date food stored in it. 'There was a strong pungent smell coming from the fridge when it was opened and, this posed a danger to the resident as there was a known risk that they could consume out of date food. Due to this, the inspector issued an immediate action to the management team in order to have this issue addressed with immediate effect,' the report said. This included a tray of cooked rice with a date indicating it had been cooked on March 18, 2026, four weeks prior to the inspection, a bag of significant mouldy cooked food, cooked meat in open packing with no date when cooked or when to be consumed by. The fridge was visibly very dirty. An immediate action was given to the provider to discard all food present in the fridge and clean it to a suitable standard. The fridge and food was used soley by one young person in the centre. On review of this young persons risk assessments, there was an assessment in place to indicate that they were at risk at eating unpalatable food. In February 2026, there was in incident described whereby the young person ate food that looked 'gluey' and 'gave an unpleasant smell'. Following this incident they were monitored for symptoms of food poisoning. The young person had a risk assessment in place in relation to this risk and the control measure in place was that food present in the centre had to be checked on a daily basis. Improvements were required in several areas also at a separate centre operated by Embrace Community Services Ltd. An urgent action was issued to the provider to address fire safety measures and immediate action was required relating to residents' access to items which could pose a risk. In response, the provider put measures in place to address these concerns. An urgent action was issued to The Cheshire Foundation in Ireland to address ongoing fire safety risks which the provider had not adequately addressed following previous inspections. Residents' call bells were not working effectively which left residents vulnerable and at risk. While questionnaires completed by residents showed they were happy living in the centre, some highlighted issues over staffing and the premises. In response, the provider outlined new staff recruitment and fire safety measures, and how a new call bell system had been installed. All of the providers of the centres have agreed to action plans to address the issues found by inspectors. Inspectors found good practice in many of the centres inspected. At a HSE-operated centre in Monaghan, interactions between staff and residents were observed to be thoughtful and engaging and staff were very familiar with each resident's communication style and preferences. One resident was supported by a preferred staff member who knew the resident well and the resident spoke with family members before breakfast. It was clear that this was of great importance to them and was encouraged and supported by the staff team. Feedback from family members was overwhelmingly positive about the service that young people were receiving at a centre in Tipperary operated by Enable Ireland Disability Services Limited.